

Brief Directions for Planting and Caring for Bearded Iris 
Sweet, well-drained soil, free of roots of other plants, preferably with some lime, 
and all the sunshine possible. No fresh manure, no tree leaves; clean, shallow cultivation 
and no litter or mulch about the plants from early spring until the ground freezes in the 
fall. A light winter mulch of corn fodder or straw, brought up about the plants, rather 
than thrown on them, is beneficial but is not necessary except for plants recently planted 
_ and not well established. Bonemeal is a satisfactory fertilizer. Well rotted manure may 
be used if well spaded under, so there is no humus in contact with the rhizomes. Wood 
ashes may be used freely. 
A plant ready for planting consists of 2 essential parts—the leaves and the rhizome 
(often mistakenly called bulb). Moderate drying does not injure the leaves or rhizomes. 
If the soil is dry at planting time, fill the trench or hole with water and after it has 
soaked into the ground, spread the roots over the moist surface and draw soil over them, 
tramping it down firmly and covering with loose soil. The rhizome should be just below 
or at the surface and should be held firmly in place if the soil has been properly packed 
over the roots. ) 
Rarely, due to high temperatures and humidity, slimy bacterial decay will attack 
the leaves and rhizomes of plants in transit. When such plants are received wipe off all 
the moist and decayed parts with a rag or ball of paper or excelsior, and dust the base 
of the leaves and the rhizome thoroughly with sulphur, powdered gypsum or plaster 
of paris. Plant at once with the upper surface of the rhizome exposed to sun and air. 
Keep plant under observation to see disease is checked. If the disease progresses, treat 
as directed for rhizome rot. 
Rhizome Rot. The name is descriptive. Give a gentle pull to adjacent leaves to see 
if the disease has spread beyond the area you have detected. Scrape out all disease and 
softened tissue and pack the cavity with powdered gypsum. Scatter gypsum on the 
ground about the diseased area until the surface is white. Examine the plant from day 
to day to see if the disease is checked. 
Mustard Seed Fungus. Work gypsum into the soil to the depth of half an inch and 
scatter on the surface until it is white. 
Root Borer. (1) Clean the garden thoroughly of all litter and old Iris leaves as early 
in the spring as possible. Burn this litter. (2) After vigorous leaf growth is established 
in the spring watch for evidence of borer attacks and cut off the leaves below the point 
where the borer is working; drop the leaves in a tight bottomed basket or bucket and 
burn them, or bury them in a well-packed grave. (3) Dig plants immediately after flower- 
ing, trim leaves down to a 3-6 inch fan, burn or bury all leaves and discarded bits of 
rhizomes. When trimming plants look carefully for borers. Lay plants on cool (earthen 
or cement) floor and keep moist (cover with moist burlaps, old carpet or straw) for about 
48 hours. Examine again for borers and replant. 
